The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has denied reports that it nullified chieftaincy titles conferred on President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, by the Adiharu of Igede, Oga Ero.
The titles were conferred on Saturday during the Igede Agba cultural festival held in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The festival is an annual celebration by the Igede people.
In a statement signed by the council’s secretary, Adegbe Uloko, the IATC described reports of the alleged nullification as misleading.
The council explained that while it had placed an embargo on the conferment of titles in its Intermediate area last week, the names of President Tinubu and secretary Akume were not included in the list of individuals proposed for honours at the event.
It further noted that Oga Ero, a First-Class Chief, was directed on August 19 to suspend the conferment of chieftaincy titles, a decision that was reinforced on September 2 through an official declaration.
“At no time did the list of honourees contain the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the statement read.
The development has sparked controversy among stakeholders of the Idoma and Igede communities that make up Benue South District, which falls under the IATC’s jurisdiction.
